The NZCPA Masters are looking to close out their unbeaten season with a victory in Rotorua where they will play Northern Maori in a Twenty20 match today.

Dion Nash will lead a team of former First Class and International players, which also features current Black Caps Twenty20 player Ronnie Hira.

The NZCPA Masters Series was established to fulfil the NZCPA past playing members' desire to support and promote cricket in regional areas of New Zealand, with the goal of assisting local cricket administrators to maintain cricket's vibrancy throughout the country.

Dion says, 'All of the guys in the NZCPA Masters team are excited to be playing the Northern Maori team and playing an important part in assisting with the promotion of the game to young Maori in New Zealand”.

Campbell Furlong (Ngati Porou and Ngai Tahu), Craig Pryor (Ngati Awa) and Adam Parore (Te kuihi), are part of a select group of cricketers with Maori heritage to play at First Class level in New Zealand and have been instrumental in ensuring this match continues to advance the opportunities for Maori in cricket.

Campbell is particularly excited about participating in this match and helping a new generation of Maori toward successful cricket careers.

'This is a very exciting initiative and will hopefully be an annual fixture, with there one day being an official New Zealand Maori team similar to what is already established in rugby and rugby league. Maori have been under-represented in First Class and international cricket so initiatives like this are important to show there are opportunities and pathways for Maori to the highest level'.

The NZCPA has a strong connection with cricket in Rotorua through the NZCT Hooked on Cricket programme and previous Masters matches. Playing the Northern Maori team in the city of Rotorua is a great way to develop cricket in the region, with a particular focus for this match on promoting the Northern Maori team and their efforts to develop opportunities for Maori through cricket.

Northern Maori coach and selector Graeme Stewart (Tainui) will name a Northern Maori team featuring as many first-class players with Maori heritage as possible for their season-ending clash with the NZCPA Masters.

"Northern Maori is a young side and we think it will benefit from including some of our Yahoo!NZ Northern Knights in its line-up, which will be announced after the travelling squad for the final round of the Plunket Shield in Napier is determined", says Graeme.

Yahoo!NZ Northern Knights players eligible to represent Northern Maori include brothers Trent and Jono Boult, Peter McGlashan and Brandon Hiini.

Schedule for the day (Game on at Smallbone Park, Devon Street, Rotorua)

• 10.30am – Rotorua v Tauranga Junior Matches and coaching (includes matches at Ray Boord Park)

• 1pm – 4pm – NZCPA Masters v Northern Maori

• 5pm – 6pm – Post Match Function

Admission is free.